Blow nozzle to control liquid flow with pre-stretch rod assembly and metal seat seal pin

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for forming a container from a container preform. The apparatus includes a housing, a mold cavity, and a nozzle system disposed in the housing and operably connectable to the mold cavity. The nozzle system is positionable between a first position engaging the housing along an interface of contact preventing pressurized liquid from being injected into the container preform and a second position spaced apart from the housing permitting pressurized liquid to be injected into the container preform. The nozzle system further includes in some embodiments a seal portion having a first surface—the first surface engaging a second surface extending from the housing in the first position.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.61/443,282, filed on Feb. 16, 2011. The entire disclosure of the aboveapplication is incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD

This disclosure generally relates to molds for filling containers with acommodity, such as a liquid commodity. More specifically, thisdisclosure relates to a blow nozzle to control liquid flow withpre-stretch rod assemblies used for filling/forming blown plasticcontainers.

BACKGROUND

This section provides background information related to the presentdisclosure which is not necessarily prior art.

As a result of environmental and other concerns, plastic containers,more specifically polyester and even more specifically polyethyleneterephthalate (PET) containers are now being used more than ever topackage numerous commodities previously supplied in glass containers.Manufacturers and fillers, as well as consumers, have recognized thatPET containers are lightweight, inexpensive, recyclable andmanufacturable in large quantities.

Blow-molded plastic containers have become commonplace in packagingnumerous commodities. PET is a crystallizable polymer, meaning that itis available in an amorphous form or a semi-crystalline form. Theability of a PET container to maintain its material integrity relates tothe percentage of the PET container in crystalline form, also known asthe “crystallinity” of the PET container. The following equation definesthe percentage of crystallinity as a volume fraction:

${\% \mspace{14mu} {Crystallinity}} = {\left( \frac{\rho - \rho_{a}}{\rho_{c} - \rho_{a}} \right) \times 100}$

where ρ is the density of the PET material; ρ_(a) is the density of pureamorphous PET material (1.333 g/cc); and ρ_(c) is the density of purecrystalline material (1.455 g/cc).

Container manufacturers use mechanical processing and thermal processingto increase the PET polymer crystallinity of a container. Mechanicalprocessing involves orienting the amorphous material to achieve strainhardening. This processing commonly involves stretching an injectionmolded PET preform along a longitudinal axis and expanding the PETpreform along a transverse or radial axis to form a PET container. Thecombination promotes what manufacturers define as biaxial orientation ofthe molecular structure in the container. Manufacturers of PETcontainers currently use mechanical processing to produce PET containershaving approximately 20% crystallinity in the container's sidewall.

Thermal processing involves heating the material (either amorphous orsemi-crystalline) to promote crystal growth. On amorphous material,thermal processing of PET material results in a spherulitic morphologythat interferes with the transmission of light. In other words, theresulting crystalline material is opaque, and thus, generallyundesirable. Used after mechanical processing, however, thermalprocessing results in higher crystallinity and excellent clarity forthose portions of the container having biaxial molecular orientation.The thermal processing of an oriented PET container, which is known asheat setting, typically includes blow molding a PET preform against amold heated to a temperature of approximately 250° F.-350° F.(approximately 121° C.-177° C.), and holding the blown container againstthe heated mold for approximately two (2) to five (5) seconds.Manufacturers of PET juice bottles, which must be hot-filled atapproximately 185° F. (85° C.), currently use heat setting to producePET bottles having an overall crystallinity in the range ofapproximately 25%-35%.

Conventionally, blowing forming containers has always been accomplishedusing high-pressure air blowing into a softened plastic form, such as aninjection molded preform or an extruded parison tube. Typically, a blownozzle is introduced into the neck of the container and air pressureforms the container by blowing the softened plastic out to a mold.Separately, liquid filling nozzles, though designed to fill pre-blowncontainers, do not incorporate a stretching rod.

SUMMARY

This section provides a general summary of the disclosure, and is not acomprehensive disclosure of its full scope or all of its features.

According to the principles of the present disclosure, an apparatus forforming a container from a container preform is provided. The apparatusincludes a housing, a mold cavity, and a nozzle system disposed in thehousing and operably connectable to the mold cavity. The nozzle systemis positionable between a first position engaging the housing along aninterface of contact preventing pressurized liquid from being injectedinto the container preform and a second position spaced apart from thehousing permitting pressurized liquid to be injected into the containerpreform. The nozzle system further includes in some embodiments a sealportion having a first surface—the first surface engaging a secondsurface extending from the housing in the first position.

Further areas of applicability will become apparent from the descriptionprovided herein. The description and specific examples in this summaryare intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended tolimit the scope of the present disclosure.

DRAWINGS

The drawings described herein are for illustrative purposes only ofselected embodiments and not all possible implementations, and are notintended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

FIG. 1 is a partial, lower cross-sectional view illustrating anapparatus for forming a container using a stretch rod and pressurizedliquid wherein the portion left of the centerline illustrates anextended position and the portion right of the centerline illustrates aretracted position;

FIG. 2 is a partial, upper cross-sectional view illustrating theapparatus of FIG. 1 for forming a container using a stretch rod andpressurized liquid wherein the portion left of the centerlineillustrates an extended position and the portion right of the centerlineillustrates a retracted position;

FIG. 3 is a partial, cross-sectional view illustrating the apparatusaccording to principles of the present teachings having a sealinginterface wherein the portion left of the centerline illustrates aretracted position and the portion right of the centerline illustratesan extended position; and

FIGS. 4A-4C are alternative seal pin shapes according to the principlesof the present teachings for defining a desired product head space (orproduct level) following filling of the container.

Corresponding reference numerals indicate corresponding parts throughoutthe several views of the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Example embodiments will now be described more fully with reference tothe accompanying drawings. Example embodiments are provided so that thisdisclosure will be thorough, and will fully convey the scope to thosewho are skilled in the art. Numerous specific details are set forth suchas examples of specific components, devices, and methods, to provide athorough understanding of embodiments of the present disclosure. It willbe apparent to those skilled in the art that specific details need notbe employed, that example embodiments may be embodied in many differentforms and that neither should be construed to limit the scope of thedisclosure.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particularexample embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. As usedherein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” may be intended toinclude the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicatesotherwise. The terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “including,” and“having,” are inclusive and therefore specify the presence of statedfeatures, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, butdo not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features,integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groupsthereof. The method steps, processes, and operations described hereinare not to be construed as necessarily requiring their performance inthe particular order discussed or illustrated, unless specificallyidentified as an order of performance. It is also to be understood thatadditional or alternative steps may be employed.

When an element or layer is referred to as being “on”, “engaged to”,“connected to” or “coupled to” another element or layer, it may bedirectly on, engaged, connected or coupled to the other element orlayer, or intervening elements or layers may be present. In contrast,when an element is referred to as being “directly on,” “directly engagedto”, “directly connected to” or “directly coupled to” another element orlayer, there may be no intervening elements or layers present. Otherwords used to describe the relationship between elements should beinterpreted in a like fashion (e.g., “between” versus “directlybetween,” “adjacent” versus “directly adjacent,” etc.). As used herein,the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more ofthe associated listed items.

Although the terms first, second, third, etc. may be used herein todescribe various elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections,these elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections should notbe limited by these terms. These terms may be only used to distinguishone element, component, region, layer or section from another region,layer or section. Terms such as “first,” “second,” and other numericalterms when used herein do not imply a sequence or order unless clearlyindicated by the context. Thus, a first element, component, region,layer or section discussed below could be termed a second element,component, region, layer or section without departing from the teachingsof the example embodiments.

Spatially relative terms, such as “inner,” “outer,” “beneath”, “below”,“lower”, “above”, “upper” and the like, may be used herein for ease ofdescription to describe one element or feature's relationship to anotherelement(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. Spatiallyrelative terms may be intended to encompass different orientations ofthe device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depictedin the figures. For example, if the device in the figures is turnedover, elements described as “below” or “beneath” other elements orfeatures would then be oriented “above” the other elements or features.Thus, the example term “below” can encompass both an orientation ofabove and below. The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptorsused herein interpreted accordingly.

The present teachings provide for a blow mold device and nozzle system,and method of using the same, to permit the use of liquids as aninjecting agent during the forming process. These liquids can be adisposable liquid or, in some embodiments, can comprise the liquidcommodity. Therefore, in some embodiments, the liquids used for formingthe container can remain therein for final packaging. The blow molddevice and nozzle system provides controlled use of the liquid tominimize chances of contamination and prevent leakage during cycling.According to these principles, formation and filling of a container canbe achieved in a single step without sacrificing clean and sanitaryconditions.

As will be discussed in greater detail herein, the shape of the molddevice and nozzle system of the present teachings and the containerformed therewith can be formed according to any one of a number ofvariations. By way of non-limiting example, the mold of the presentdisclosure can be configured to hold any one of a plurality ofcontainers and be used in connection with a number of fluids andcommodities, such as beverages, food, or other hot-fill type materials.

It should be appreciated that the size and the exact shape of the molddevice and nozzle system are dependent on the size of the container andthe required operational parameters. Therefore, it should be recognizedthat variations can exist in the presently described designs. Accordingto some embodiments, it should also be recognized that the mold cancomprise various features for use with containers having vacuumabsorbing features or regions, such as panels, ribs, slots, depressions,and the like.

The present teachings relate to the forming of one-piece plasticcontainers using a liquid. Generally, these containers, after formation,generally define a body that includes an upper portion having acylindrical sidewall forming a finish. Integrally formed with the finishand extending downward therefrom is a shoulder portion. The shoulderportion merges into and provides a transition between the finish and asidewall portion. The sidewall portion extends downward from theshoulder portion to a base portion having a base. An upper transitionportion, in some embodiments, may be defined at a transition between theshoulder portion and the sidewall portion. A lower transition portion,in some embodiments, may be defined at a transition between the baseportion and the sidewall portion.

The exemplary container may also have a neck. The neck may have anextremely short height, that is, becoming a short extension from thefinish, or an elongated height, extending between the finish and theshoulder portion. The upper portion can define an opening. Although thecontainer is shown as a drinking container and a food container, itshould be appreciated that containers having different shapes, such assidewalls and openings, can be made according to the principles of thepresent teachings.

The finish of the plastic container may include a threaded region havingthreads, a lower sealing ridge, and a support ring. The threaded regionprovides a means for attachment of a similarly threaded closure or cap(not illustrated). Alternatives may include other suitable devices thatengage the finish of the plastic container, such as a press-fit orsnap-fit cap for example. Accordingly, the closure or cap (notillustrated) engages the finish to preferably provide a hermetical sealof the plastic container. The closure or cap (not illustrated) ispreferably of a plastic or metal material conventional to the closureindustry and suitable for subsequent thermal processing.

The container can be formed according to the principles of the presentteachings. A preform version of the container includes a support ring,which may be used to carry or orient the preform through and at variousstages of manufacture. For example, the preform may be carried by thesupport ring, the support ring may be used to aid in positioning thepreform in a mold cavity, or the support ring may be used to carry anintermediate container once molded. At the outset, the preform may beplaced into the mold cavity such that the support ring is captured at anupper end of the mold cavity. In general, the mold cavity has aninterior surface corresponding to a desired outer profile of the blowncontainer. More specifically, the mold cavity according to the presentteachings defines a body forming region, an optional moil forming regionand an optional opening forming region. Once the resultant structure,hereinafter referred to as an intermediate container, has been formed,any moil created by the moil forming region may be severed anddiscarded. It should be appreciated that the use of a moil formingregion and/or opening forming region are not necessarily in all formingmethods.

In one example, a machine places the preform 100 (see FIG. 1) heated toa temperature between approximately 190° F. to 250° F. (approximately88° C. to 121° C.) into the mold cavity. The mold cavity may be heatedto a temperature between approximately 250° F. to 350° F. (approximately121° C. to 177° C.). An internal stretch rod apparatus 20 (see FIGS. 1and 2) stretches or extends the heated preform within the mold cavitythereby molecularly orienting the polyester material in an axialdirection generally corresponding with the central longitudinal axis ofthe container. While the stretch rod extends the preform, a liquidassists in extending the preform in the axial direction and in expandingthe preform in a circumferential or hoop direction thereby substantiallyconforming the polyester material to the shape of the mold cavity andfurther molecularly orienting the polyester material in a directiongenerally perpendicular to the axial direction, thus establishing thebiaxial molecular orientation of the polyester material in most of theintermediate container. In some embodiments, the pressurized liquidholds the mostly biaxial molecularly oriented polyester material againstthe mold cavity for a period of time before removal of the intermediatecontainer from the mold cavity.

With particular reference to FIGS. 1-3, a mold device and nozzle system10 is provided comprising internal stretch rod apparatus 20 and a nozzlesystem 22 formed therewith that are each independently actuatable. Itshould be noted, however, that internal stretch rod apparatus 20 of thepresent teachings is optional. It has been found that in someembodiments internal stretch rod apparatus 20 may not be necessary.Therefore, it should be appreciated that although internal stretch rodapparatus 20 is discussed in connection with the present teachings, itshould not be regarded as being a required element.

Internal stretch rod apparatus 20 comprises a stretch rod memberassembly 24 being slidably disposed within a housing 26. The internalstretch rod member assembly 24 and nozzle system 22 are illustrated inboth an extended and retracted positions (left of centerline CL in FIGS.1 and 2 and right of centerline CL in FIGS. 1 and 2, respectively; andright of centerline CL in FIG. 3 and left of centerline CL in FIG. 3,respectively). Stretch rod member assembly 24 can comprise a stretch rod28 being slidably disposed within a central bore 30 of housing 26.Stretch rod 28 is generally cylindrical in shape having an engaging tipportion 32 at a distal end and a piston portion 34 at a proximal end.Tip portion 32 is shaped to engage preform 100 during manufacture,shaping, and/or filling. Piston portion 34 is received within a pistonchamber 36 to closely conform therewith to define a piston assembly (forexample pneumatic, hydraulic, servo, mechanical or the like). Pistonportion 34 is responsive to changes in pneumatic, hydraulic, servo,mechanical or the like pressure within piston chambers 36A and 36B,thereby causing piston portion 34 to move in a direction generallyaligned with centerline CL between an extended position (left side) anda retracted position (right side). Movement of piston portion 34 therebycauses associated movement of stretch rod 28 and tip portion 32.

Additionally, in some embodiments, nozzle system 22 comprises a seal rod50 being slidably disposed within housing 26. That is, nozzle system 22can comprise a seal rod 50 being slidably disposed within central bore30 of housing 26. Seal rod 50 includes an engaging seal portion 52 at adistal end and a piston portion 66 at a proximal end. Seal portion 52 isshaped to engage a narrowed distal portion 56 of central bore 30. Inthis way, seal portion 52 can be position in a retracted position whereseal portion 52 is spaced apart from an enlarged intermediate portion 31of central bore 30 to permit the flow of liquid there past. Seal portion52 can also be positioned in an extended and seated position where sealportion 52 sealingly engages narrowed distal portion 56. In someembodiments, seal portion 52 and distal portion 56 can be generallyparallel to each other and parallel to centerline CL.

In some embodiments, however, as illustrated in FIG. 3, seal portion 52can be complementarily shaped with distal portion 56 to define a sealingengagement therebetween. This sealing engagement, in some embodiments,can be tailored to provide increased sealing capability when exposed toincreased fluid pressure within annulus 60. That is, as illustrated inFIGS. 3 and 4A-4C, seal portion 52 can define a generally conical shapehaving at least a generally sloping surface 72. Generally slopingsurface 72 can be angled relative to centerline CL and further becomplementarily shaped relative to a generally sloping receiver surface74 extending from and formed with distal portion 56. In someembodiments, generally sloping surface 72 and generally sloping receiversurface 74 engage to define an interface of contact 76 (right side ofFIG. 3). The interface of contact 76 can be sufficient intimate todefine a fluid seal therebetween when seal portion 52 is in an extendedand seated position. In some embodiments, the interface of contact 76defines a sufficient fluid seal without the need for additional sealingmembers, such as O-rings, that may contaminate the filling process. Insome embodiments, the interface of contact 76 can be a metal to metalseal.

In some embodiments, seal portion 52 of seal rod 50 and/or distalportion 56 of central bore 30 can be made of materials or defineproperties that are conducive to wear, sealing, and/or other operationalparameters. For example, in some embodiments, seal portion 52 and distalportion 56 can be made of dissimilar materials. In some embodiments,these materials can include stainless steel, Teflon, and the link. Insome embodiments, seal portion 52 and distal portion 56 can be made ofthe same materials, but define different hardness. For example, in someembodiments, seal portion 52 can define a material hardness that is lessthan a material hardness of distal portion 56 or vice versa.

It should be noted that in some embodiments, seal portion 52 cancomprise an upstream surface 78 generally facing a direction of fluidflow. Upstream surface 78 can be shaped, such as perpendicular to fluidflow, to define an acting surface upon which fluid force can be exertedupon, thereby urging seal portion 52 into the extended and seatedposition. This arrangement can be used to further ensure a reliablesealing engagement along the interface of contact 76. Therefore, in theextended and seated position, seal portion 52 prevents liquid fromflowing from a fluid inlet 58, through an annulus 60 of central bore 30to enlarged intermediated portion 31 of central bore 30.

However, in the retracted position, seal portion 52 is spaced apart fromnarrowed distal portion 56 and thus permits liquid to flow from fluidinlet 58, through annulus 60 of central bore 30 to enlargedintermediated portion 31 of central bore 30 and out fluid injector 62and into preform 100. The fluid pressure within preform 100 causespreform 100 to expand and be molded into a predetermined shapeconforming to the mold cavity. To achieve a desired final shape, fluidpressure typically needs to be selected that is sufficiently high tourge the preform into all portions of the mold cavity. Upon completionof the molding process, seal portion 52 can return to the extended andseated position to thereby seal fluid injector 62 and prevent furtherflow of the liquid from the nozzle.

Seal portion 52 is moved in response to movement of piston portion 66.Piston portion 66 of nozzle system 22 is received within a pistonchamber 68 to closely conform therewith to define a piston assembly.Piston portion 66 is responsive to changes in pressure within pistonchambers 68A and 68B, thereby causing piston portion 66 to move in adirection generally aligned with centerline CL between the extended andseated position (left side) and the retracted position (right side).Movement of piston portion 66 thereby causes associated movement of sealrod 50 and seal portion 52. It should be appreciated, however, thatalthough pressurized liquid has been discussed in connection with thepresent teachings, in some embodiments, pressurized air or a combinationof pressurized air and liquid can be used. Moreover, it should beappreciated that the pressurized liquid can be a forming liquid usedonly for molding or could be a liquid commodity that is intended toremain within the container upon completion.

With particular reference to FIGS. 1, 3, and 4A-4C, it should be notedthat during actuation of seal portion 52 from the retracted position tothe extended and seated position, a distal end 80 can be varied in sizeso as to protrude a predetermined distance and/or volume into preform100. That is, when seal portion 52 is positioned in the extended andseated position, distal end 80 of seal portion 52 can extend intopreform 100. The volumetric size of the tip portion 82 of distal end 80can be used to displace a predetermine volume of liquid disposed withinthe final shaped container such that upon removal of the final shapedand filled container a headspace or product level in the container canbe simply and reliably established. By increasing the volumetric size oftip portion 82, more liquid can be displaced, thereby creating moreheadspace within the final filled container. This arrangement canfurther improve the filling accuracy of liquid within the filledcontainer. Still further, in some embodiments, tip portion 82 can besized and/or shaped to encourage a predetermined flow pattern of theliquid during injection into preform 100. That is, the flow can betailored to modify turbulence, aeration, mixing, cooling, and the likebased on the fluid flow pattern.

In some embodiments, as illustrated in FIG. 1, housing 26 can comprise aring depression 70 formed along a bottom side of housing 26 to sealinglyreceive preform 100 along the threaded region, the lower sealing ridge,and/or the support ring.

Alternately, other manufacturing methods using other conventionalmaterials including, for example, thermoplastic, high densitypolyethylene, polypropylene, polyethylene naphthalate (PEN), a PET/PENblend or copolymer, and various multilayer structures may be suitablefor the manufacture of the plastic container. Those having ordinaryskill in the art will readily know and understand plastic containermanufacturing method alternatives.

The foregoing description of the embodiments has been provided forpurposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to beexhaustive or to limit the invention. Individual elements or features ofa particular embodiment are generally not limited to that particularembodiment, but, where applicable, are interchangeable and can be usedin a selected embodiment, even if not specifically shown or described.The same may also be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to beregarded as a departure from the invention, and all such modificationsare intended to be included within the scope of the invention.

1. An apparatus for forming a container from a container preform, saidapparatus comprising: a housing; a mold cavity; and a nozzle systemdisposed in said housing and operably connectable to the mold cavity,said nozzle system being positionable between a first position engagingsaid housing along an interface of contact preventing pressurized liquidfrom being injected into the container preform and a second positionspaced apart from said housing permitting pressurized liquid to beinjected into the container preform, said nozzle system comprising aseal portion having a first surface, said first surface engaging asecond surface extending from the housing in said first position.
 2. Theapparatus according to claim 1 wherein said first surface comprises afirst tapered surface and said second surface comprises a second taperedsurface.
 3. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said interface ofcontact is metal-to-metal.
 4. The apparatus according to claim 1 whereinsaid first surface of said seal portion is made of a first material andsaid second surface of said housing is made from a second material, saidfirst materials being different from said second material.
 5. Theapparatus according to claim 1 wherein said first surface of said sealportion is made of a first material and said second surface of saidhousing is made from a second material, said first materials has adifferent hardness than said second material.
 6. The apparatus accordingto claim 1 wherein said nozzle system comprises a tip portion, said tipportion positionable within the container to displacement a predeterminevolume of liquid to define a predetermined head space with the containerafter filling.
 7. The apparatus according to claim 6 wherein said tipportion is sized to define a predetermined volume.
 8. The apparatusaccording to claim 1, further comprising a stretch rod apparatusdisposed in said housing, said stretch rod apparatus having a stretchrod for at least partially forming the container preform.
 9. Theapparatus according to claim 8 wherein said nozzle system comprises: acentral bore extending through said housing and said stretch rodincludes a tip portion on a distal end thereof engagable with thecontainer preform and a piston member on a proximal end thereof, saidstretch rod being disposed in said central bore, said piston memberbeing actuatable in response to a pressure means to actuate said stretchrod between an extended position and a retracted position.
 10. Theapparatus according to claim 1 wherein said nozzle system comprises: acentral bore extending through said housing; and a seal rod having saidseal portion on a distal end thereof engagable with an end of thecentral bore and a piston member on a proximal end thereof, said sealrod being disposed in said central bore, said piston member beingactuatable in response to a pressure means to actuate said seal rodbetween said first position preventing said pressurized liquid frombeing injected into the container preform and said second positionpermitting said pressurized liquid to be injected into the containerpreform.
 11. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the container isformed from one of a thermoplastic, a high density polyethylene, apolypropylene, a polyethylene naphthalate (PEN), a PET/PEN blend, acopolymer, various multilayer structures, and any combination or blendthereof.
 12. An apparatus for forming a container from a containerpreform, said apparatus comprising: a housing; a mold cavity; and anozzle system disposed in said housing and operably connectable to themold cavity, said nozzle system being positionable between a firstposition engaging said housing along an interface of contact preventingpressurized liquid from being injected into the container preform and asecond position spaced apart from said housing permitting pressurizedliquid to be injected into the container preform, said nozzle systemhaving a tip portion, said tip portion being positionable within thecontainer to displacement a predetermine volume of liquid to define apredetermined head space with the container after filling.
 13. Theapparatus according to claim 12 wherein said nozzle system comprises aseal portion having a first surface, said first surface engaging asecond surface extending from the housing in said first position. 14.The apparatus according to claim 13 wherein said first surface comprisesa first tapered surface and said second surface comprises a secondtapered surface.
 15. The apparatus according to claim 13 wherein saidfirst surface of said seal portion is made of a first material and saidsecond surface of said housing is made from a second material, saidfirst materials being different from said second material.
 16. Theapparatus according to claim 13 wherein said first surface of said sealportion is made of a first material and said second surface of saidhousing is made from a second material, said first materials has adifferent hardness than said second material.
 17. The apparatusaccording to claim 12 wherein said interface of contact ismetal-to-metal.
 18. The apparatus according to claim 12 wherein said tipportion is sized to define a predetermined volume.
 19. The apparatusaccording to claim 12, further comprising a stretch rod apparatusdisposed in said housing, said stretch rod apparatus having a stretchrod for at least partially forming the container preform.
 20. Theapparatus according to claim 19 wherein said nozzle system comprises: acentral bore extending through said housing and said stretch rodincludes a tip portion on a distal end thereof engagable with thecontainer preform and a piston member on a proximal end thereof, saidstretch rod being disposed in said central bore, said piston memberbeing actuatable in response to a pressure means to actuate said stretchrod between an extended position and a retracted position.
 21. Theapparatus according to claim 12 wherein said nozzle system comprises: acentral bore extending through said housing; and a seal rod having saidseal portion on a distal end thereof engagable with an end of thecentral bore and a piston member on a proximal end thereof, said sealrod being disposed in said central bore, said piston member beingactuatable in response to a pressure means to actuate said seal rodbetween said first position preventing said pressurized liquid frombeing injected into the container preform and said second positionpermitting said pressurized liquid to be injected into the containerpreform.
 22. The apparatus according to claim 12 wherein the containeris formed from one of a thermoplastic, a high density polyethylene, apolypropylene, a polyethylene naphthalate (PEN), a PET/PEN blend, acopolymer, various multilayer structures, and any combination or blendthereof.
 23. An apparatus for forming a container, said apparatuscomprising: a housing having a central bore; a stretch rod apparatusdisposed in said housing, said stretch rod apparatus having a stretchrod extending through said central bore for at least partially forming acontainer preform; and a nozzle system disposed in said housing andoperably coupled with said stretch rod apparatus, said nozzle systemhaving a seal rod extending through said central bore being generallycoaxial with said stretch rod, said nozzle system being positionablebetween a first position whereby a seal portion having a sealing surfaceengages a complementary surface of said housing thereby preventingpressurized liquid from being injected into the container preform and asecond position permitting pressurized liquid to be injected into thecontainer preform.
 24. The apparatus according to claim 23 wherein saidnozzle system comprises a seal portion having a first surface, saidfirst surface engaging a second surface extending from the housing insaid first position.
 25. The apparatus according to claim 24 whereinsaid first surface comprises a first tapered surface and said secondsurface comprises a second tapered surface.
 26. The apparatus accordingto claim 24 wherein said first surface of said seal portion is made of afirst material and said second surface of said housing is made from asecond material, said first materials being different from said secondmaterial.
 27. The apparatus according to claim 24 wherein said firstsurface of said seal portion is made of a first material and said secondsurface of said housing is made from a second material, said firstmaterials has a different hardness than said second material.
 28. Theapparatus according to claim 23 wherein said interface of contact ismetal-to-metal.
 29. The apparatus according to claim 23 wherein saidnozzle system comprises a tip portion, said tip portion positionablewithin the container to displacement a predetermine volume of liquid todefine a predetermined head space with the container after filling. 30.The apparatus according to claim 29 wherein said tip portion is sized todefine a predetermined volume.
 31. The apparatus according to claim 23wherein said nozzle system comprises: a central bore extending throughsaid housing and said stretch rod includes a tip portion on a distal endthereof engagable with the container preform and a piston member on aproximal end thereof, said stretch rod being disposed in said centralbore, said piston member being actuatable in response to a pressuremeans to actuate said stretch rod between an extended position and aretracted position.
 32. The apparatus according to claim 23 wherein saidnozzle system comprises: a central bore extending through said housing;and a seal rod having said seal portion on a distal end thereofengagable with an end of the central bore and a piston member on aproximal end thereof, said seal rod being disposed in said central bore,said piston member being actuatable in response to a pressure means toactuate said seal rod between said first position preventing saidpressurized liquid from being injected into the container preform andsaid second position permitting said pressurized liquid to be injectedinto the container preform.
 33. The apparatus according to claim 23wherein the container is formed from one of a thermoplastic, a highdensity polyethylene, a polypropylene, a polyethylene naphthalate (PEN),a PET/PEN blend, a copolymer, various multilayer structures, and anycombination or blend thereof.